Touted as ‘the wonder material of the 21st Century’ by the researchers who were awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in physics for their graphene research, this carbon-based lightweight material is 200 times stronger than steel and 100 times more conductive than gold, making it one of the most promising and versatile RF shielding materials ever discovered.

RF Safe’s Nano-materials Graphene Manufacturing Division will provide methods and structures for substantially improving RFR/EMI shielding of wireless electronic devices, wherein the shielding structure is ultra light, even transparent, can be provided and incorporated into any devices at relatively low cost while adding almost no weight to the device, with exceptional conductivity, strength and corrosion resistance properties.

The reason behind RF Safe developing new innovative graphene RFR shielding technologies is a simple one. 5G cellular technology will employ much higher frequency microwaves than current cell phone technologies: 2G, 3G, and 4G. These microwaves, known as millimeter waves, won’t penetrate building materials like the current technology which is why the industry will need a greater number of micro cell antenna base station located in close proximity to homes.

Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D. Director, Center for Family & Community Health School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley, says “widespread adoption of 5G cellular technology in the U.S. may have profound effects on our ecosystem by altering bacteria, possibly creating harmful bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.”

Moskowitz, Ph.D. deems precaution is warranted before unleashing 5G technology on the world. He suspects most of the 221 scientists who signed the International EMF Scientist Appeal, would support his assertion.

Most scientist can agree more research is also needed as specific characteristics of the millimeter waves (e.g., pulsing, modulation) to be employed in 5G cellular technology may be more important than the frequency or intensity of the waves in terms of biologic and health effects. The research funding must be independent of industry as conflicts of interest have been found to undermine “War-Game” the science in this field.

“Graphene-based RFR shielding technology promises a radically new set of capabilities to meet pressing future needs to effectively shield 5G wireless frequencies,” said RF Safe’s CEO John Coates. “Among Graphene’s wide-ranging applications are exceptional shielding capabilities at frequency ranges from about 1 megahertz to a few hundred gigahertz, which is a significant improvement over prior electromagnetic shielding materials.”

Accordingly, a nano-scale graphene electromagnetic wave blocking plate can be attached to the inner surface of the cover of an electronic wireless device, aftermarket smaetphone case or phone screen shield accessory that will prevent outward discharge of electromagnetic waves in the direction excessive RFR/EMI exposure isn’t wanted.

Graphene is a two dimensional allotrope of carbon atoms arranged in a planar, hexagonal structure. It features useful electronic properties including bipolarity, high purity, high mobility, and high critical current density. Electron mobility values as high as 200,000 cm2/Vs at room temperature have been reported.

Structurally, graphene has hybrid orbitals formed by sp2 hybridization. In the sp2 hybridization, the 2s orbital and two of the three 2p orbitals mix to form three sp2 orbitals. The one remaining p-orbital forms a pi-bond between the carbon atoms. Similar to the structure of benzene, the structure of graphene has a conjugated ring of the p-orbitals which exhibits a stabilization that is stronger than would be expected by the stabilization of conjugation alone, i.e., the graphene structure is aromatic.

Unlike other allotropes of carbon such as diamond, amorphous carbon, carbon nanofoam, or fullerenes, graphene is not an allotrope of carbon since the thickness of graphene is one atomic carbon layer i.e., a sheet of graphene does not form a three dimensional crystal.

Moreover, graphene is generally recognized for its high mechanical strength and high stability. In contrast, prior electromagnetic shield materials require an increased thickness to increase shielding effectiveness.

RF Safe is among a large number of small players that have become a force to reckon with in the graphene nano-materials industry. The market is witnessing large scale collaborations and partnerships across the value chain with a number of tier-one universities and research organizations participating from around the globe taking on the next steps and challenges in commercializing graphene-based RFR/EMI shielding technologies.

About RF Safe

RF SAFE is a world-leading provider of cell phone radiation protection accessories and informational safety data. Since 1998 RF (Radio Frequency) Safe has been dedicated to evolving the wireless industries safety standards, by engaging in the business of design, testing, manufacture, and sale of safety technologies to mitigate harmful effects of cell phone radiation.